Marine, trade and aviation

The highly specialised marine and aviation industries demand total commitment, expertise and focus from their advisers to resolve both litigious and non-litigious issues. With a wealth of experience in advising on all aspects of international marine, aviation and aerospace law, our multi-disciplinary marine, trade and aviation practice enjoys an unrivalled reputation in its field.

Members of our global team work closely with marine surveyors, investigators and loss adjusters to provide a comprehensive legal service to clients who range from ship and yacht owners, charterers, underwriters, P&I clubs, commodities end-users and trade associations to port operators, banks and other financial institutions.

We are market leaders in advising on crew and supernumerary accidents, from the highest profile casualties and major maritime losses to personal injury claims and day-to-day commercial disputes arising under shipping contracts. In the immediate aftermath of an incident, our dedicated emergency response lawyers provide prompt and effective assistance in relation to crisis management.

Our trade finance team combines an in-depth knowledge of the law with a business-focused approach to the commercial realities of structured trade and commodity finance. We are skilled at mitigating risk in today’s challenging markets and providing tailored financing options and innovative security packages designed for our clients’ specific commercial requirements. 

Consistently acknowledged as a trusted adviser across the full spectrum of aviation and aerospace law, our specialist advisers act for insurers and reinsurers, assureds, service providers, operators and manufacturers. Our service offering is underpinned by creative thinking and workable solutions in this fast-moving arena.

We assist on all aspects of insurance and re-insurance coverage disputes, claims relating to hull, war risks and third party liability coverage and disputes over satellite and aerospace technology. A leading authority in civil and military aviation disputes, we have extensive experience in dealing with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. We also deal with a wide variety of sector-related employment matters.

Our team regularly acts on complex, high-value commercial litigation, including one of the largest insurance litigation matters to appear before the English courts. We also represent leading international businesses in the Supreme Court.